Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos conferred a medal on Premier Yu Shyi-kun on Friday in recognition of his contributions to promoting relations between the two countries over the years.
During their talks, Bolanos reaffirmed his administration's support for Taiwan's bid to join the UN and other international organizations. He also expressed his gratitude for Taiwan's assistance to his country.
On behalf of the government, Yu presented five brand new ambulances to Nicaragua.
Yu referred to himself as the premier of "Taiwan, ROC" while autographing a book at the Nicaraguan National Assembly.
Yu began to use this national title in a speech to the Honduran Congress on Wednesday.
On Friday, Yu witnessed a ceremony marking the inauguration of Taiwan-Nicaraguan Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
Yu arrived in Nicaragua on Thursday on the third and last leg of a three-country diplomatic tour aimed at cementing Taipei's relations with its allies in the Caribbean and Central America.
This is Yu's second overseas trip since becoming premier in February 2002. On his way back to Taipei, Yu will make a three-day transit stop in New York.
In related news, Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte and Ambassador to Paraguay Yen Pin-fan (顏秉璠) presided over an inauguration ceremony Friday for 61 public housing units for impoverished families in the eastern city of Nemby.
The housing complex was built with funds donated by Taiwan.
Duarte said the inauguration of the new housing complex in Nemby is part of his administration's efforts to deliver on his campaign promise of using Taiwan-donated funds to built housing units for low-income families.
In late July, a similar Taiwan-funded housing complex was also inaugurated in Luque, a town about 10km from the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion, under this program, Duarte said.
He said he will continue to build housing units with Tai-wanese funds during his tenure to benefit impoverished people.
Yen said the inauguration of Luque Village epitomizes the transparency in the Paraguayan government's use of Taiwanese donations and the solidity of relations between the two countries. Yen said Taiwan will continue to help Paraguay improve the living conditions of its people.
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